Setting front suspension

hard-rider

I'm wondering if there are optimum front suspension settings for various types of terrain. My fork is currently set at 20% sag and I have the rebound set so that it rebounds fairly quickly but after I rode over some really bumpy track yesterday with many pot holes and a lot of washboard type surface it virtually killed me with the vibration and jarring. So I was wondering if my suspension is set too hard or if I'd be better off with a slower rebound. Tyres are set to 35psi.

I read in another thread where someone posted that novices usually have their forks set too hard. So can someone give any guidance on what settings suit what type of terrain? I have RS Recon SL solo air forks 100mm travel. Judging from the seal marks I never go beyond 60mm compression so am now where near bottoming out.

cavegiant

usual sag as a starting point is 25-30%

Noobs tend to mostly consider the ability of the fork to take a big hit.
Too keep it smooth you also want the fork to be firing into the holes infront of you, hence the sag.

turn dampening off until you get the sprign rate right (you should bottom a couple of times a ride) then slowly bring dampening back in until at the correct level.

Do not hammer it until dampening is set, this is just to get things right.

Not everyone likes dampening, I run my fork with no compression or rebound, this lets it react to to the terrain at full speed (but needs a bit more thought to keep bike in control).

Hope this helps.


another tip is make BIG changes, you want to feel what it is like to have too much of something as well as too little to get your sweet spot.

cavegiant

forgot to point out the obvious but more sag generaly makes the fork smoother, some DH guys run upto 50%

Anonymous

20% sag seems about right. Suspension won't smooth everything out so it's like smooth tarmac for you, it just takes the "edge" off.

Anonymous

as above, all good advice.

it is a question of preference though.

i set my forks and shocks up quite hard. then add loads of compression

then to set my rebound i start as slow as possible then from a standing position i will compress the fork as hard as i can then snatch the handlebars upwards to try and lift the front wheel. if i can snatch upwards and get the front wheel off the floor before the fork has extended, the rebound is to slow for me.

i gradually click the rebound faster and carry out the same operation of compressing the fork then trying to snatch the front wheel off the ground by jerking the handlebars upwards until i just get to the point at which by the time i have snatched the bars upwards, the fork is fully extended.

hard-rider

Thanks I'll try experimenting. I'm not sure I can set compression independently of stiffness as I only have a single air chamber I believe. I can set the pressure through the top valve and the rebound via a knob at the bottom.

Webster, it sounds like I have my rebound set similar to yours. The fork just becomes fully extended when I snatch it up from being compressed.

supersonic

Your recon SL only has a lockout, not a compression damping adjuster.

I would try more sag ie 25% and see how you get on.